Advertising device



Aug'. 3 1926. 1,594,703

F. BALLERINI ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Dec. 24, 1924 5 Shoots-Shut 1 Aug. 3 1926. 1,594,703 F. BALLERINI v ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed D60. 24 1924 3 Shoots-Shoot 2 a y u nfb fiw k 50:10 @205) 0 d b o 0% 0 o Aug. 3,1926. 1,594,703

v F. BALLERIN] 4 ADVERTISIQG DEVICE Filed Dec. 24. 1924 3 Sheets-Shut 3 anven l'ar:

warren sra'rss rarest series.

FERNANDO BALLERINI, OF MILAN, ITALY, ASSIEGNOR TO BER-NARI) VAN LEER, OF

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.

ADVERTISING DEVICE.

Application filed December 24, 1924, Serial No. 757,808, and in Italy July 24., 1924-.

My invention relates to improvements in illuminating apparatus, and the object of the present invention is to devise an ad vertising device capable of illumination to exhibit a different combination of letters forming different sign legends at a minimum cost as to illumination. r

The characteristic feature of the invention consists in the fact that every desired sign, or every desired combination of words and devices, is produced by the movement of one or several plates, bands or the like arranged behind or over one another, relatively to a stationary front plate or wall, both the stationary front plate or wall and the movable plate band etc. or plates, bands, etc. arranged behind it being provided with perforations for the passage of the light, the number of which perforations may be unrestricted within certain limits.

Behind these perforations lies the source of light.

It is characteristic of the invention that the perforations provided in the stationary and in the movable plate, band, etc. or plates, bands, etc. which serve at a given moment for the formation of letters, devices or the like coincide in certain positions of the said plates, or the like and allow the passage of light, while the other apertures that moment do not coincide and remain shut off and invisible.

The adjustment of the movable plate, band or the like, or plates, bands or the like relatively to the fixedperforated front plate or wall into a position to allow the passage of light for the purpose of producing the advertising sign et. fected in various ways.

The following methods of effecting the operation may be mentioned by way of example: i

Behind the fixed screen a suitable perforated band or strip, which is provided longitudinally with the required signs made up of perforations, is moved stepwise or by trip movement;

(Z2) One or more plates, likewise provided with perforations and arranged behind each other and each of which individually expresses a different advertising sign or signs by means of its perforations, is or are arranged one behind the other and displaced by small amounts, and is retained for a definite time in the displaced may be ef position, during which time the sign of the advertisement becomes visible by illumination, so that the advertisement may be read tlon.

The perforation of the plate band or the like, or plates, bands or the like, may be applied in various ways, for example:

(a) lilither by perforating the plate band or the like, or plates, bands or the like, with the actual signs to be shown.

(6) or by providing the plate band or the lilre, or the plates, bands or the like, over their entire surface with perforations arranged systematically and close to each other, and shutting off certain perforations which do notbelong to the sign of the advertisement to be shown.

The first method, which consists in perforating the plate band or the like, or plates, bands, or the like, in accordance with the sign to be shown, may be conveniently employed when a single movable plate or a single movable band is used.

In all other cases the other so-called stopper method must be employed.

The so-called stopper method, which therefore assumes the simultaneous use of more than onemovable plate or more than one movable band, is characterized by the fact that the movable plates, or the like, are all arranged behind the stationary plate, and the variable advertisement wordings are obtained by constantly shifting the movable plates individual by small distances relative- 1y to the fixed plate.

For this purpose each of the movable plates is provided with two sets of perforations, while the fixed plate carries only one set of perforations.

Each of the two sets of perforations on the movable plates agrees in itself as re gards arrangement, form and size withthe single set of perforations on the fi'xed plate.

Thetwo sets of perforations provided in the movable plates are displaced relative to one another, however, in such manner that theperforations of the one set lie symmetrically between the perforations of the other set.

In the state of rest the perforations of. all the first sets of the whole of the plates arranged behind each other, coincide with the perforations of the fixed front plate; if however any of the movable plates is shifted by a certain distance in a certain direction, then the second set of perforations in the particular plate moved, will coincide with thesingle set of perforations of the fixed plate and witlrthe first set of perforations of the remaining plates, so that light cannow pass through as before. If now in the movable plate in question theapertures which belong to the second set of" perforations are shut off by stoppers, with the exception of those which serve to form the test, then this plateafter being adjusted in theworking position will allow the passage of light between theunplugged (unstoppered) apertures and thus the dc sired sign becomes visible. I

In each movable plate any text can be produced by closing up or shuttingoff in the above described manner those openings of the second set which do not serve to form the desired sign. 1

If one of the movable plates is from time to time brought into the working position either by alternation among the plates or in a definite succession, then the various advertising signs will successively become visible by means of the light passing through them. By altering the shutting' off in the second set of the individual movable plates, the advertising'sign can be altered as desired.

The number of combinations obtainable in this way is unlimited. i

The invention may also be modified by providing in the movable plates in the place of the arrangement of a complete second set of perforations, only those perforations which are needed for the formation of given sign.

This arrangement however allows of only limited use because for each new sign a special plate is necessary. Alterations of the sign with utilization of the same plate are not possible in this en'ibodime'nt of the invention.

The movement of the adjustable plates in order to bring them into the working position may be effected in any desired way.

In the accompanying drawings several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and in order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily'carried into effect reference is now directed to the accompanving detailed decription of the said drawings. In'the draw1 ngs Fig. 1 15 a view of a part of stationary perforated plate and a part of a movable perforated plate arranged, behind it.

Fig. 2 shows a part of the fixed plate.

F ig. 3 shows an embodiment of the apparatus using a perforated revolvingband.

Fig. 4 shows a part of a movable plate with the above described double .perforitions displaced relatively to each other.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a movable perforated plate.

Figs. 6 and 7 show in elevation and section "an apparatus with several movable plates arranged one behind the other.

Fig. 8 shows diagrammatically one of the various possible embodiments of a device serving to displace Or control the individual movable plates successively.

Fig. 5) shows in detail another embodiment'of a controlling device.

Fig. 10 shows diagrammatically a part of a movable plate, in which, in contrast to the arrangement previously described, the perforations are. placed at an angle of 4-5 and which possesses a particular arrangement of the perforations with the object of bringing the movable plate vertically into the working position andout of it;

Fig. 11 shows another form of a mechanism serving to displace or control the individual plates successively.

Like reference numeral's'on the drawings denote like parts.

In the illustration of my invention the unstoppered perforations in the movable plates are shown in solid black as will be seen on referring to the letters R U Fig. 1, and T O in Fig. 6. The stoppered perforations are shown by sectional shading as also indicated in this paragraph.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 6' of the drawings no complete advertising signs are shown but the examples are, as a matter of simplicity, limited to a few letters, namely in Fig. 1 the formation of two illuminated letters It and U and in Fig. 6 the format-ion of two illuminated letters T and().

1 indicates the fixed perforated plate and 2 a movable plate displaceable behind this fixed plate. 3 denotes the openings or perforations of the movable plate 2, which form the sign, and which constitute the socalled second set of those perforations which each movable plate contains. lindicates those openings or'perforations constituting the first set of perforations in the movable plate 2.

In Figs. land 6 the mutual position of the perforations of the first and second set are shown, from which figures it will be seen that the perforations of the second set are displaced relatively to those of the first set;

Within the principle,that each two ad-' joining perforations'of the first and the second setare at an angle of 45 to each other, the rule applies that the perforations belonging to each set run in horizontal rows, but in such manner that the perforations of the various horizontal rows always come vertically below each other.

A consequence of this arrangement is that for the purpose of forming illuminated signs the plates must be displaced through an angle of 45 in moving from the position of rest into the working position and vice versa.

The same lighting effect can be obtained by arranging the perforations corresponding to each set at an angle of 45 to each other, in which case the movement of the displaceable plates relatively to the fixed plate takes place, not at an angle of 45, but vertically (i. e. atan angle of 90).

This arrangement has the advantage that the plates brought .into the working position pass back into the position of rest after the completion of their work by means of their own weight.

This latter position of the perforations of the two sets is shown on Fig. 10 and the direction of movement of the plates is indicated by arrows 30.

The arrangement of the plates and their perforations are in detail as follows:

The fixed plate 1 contains a set of perforations 33 in vertical and horizontal rows. The .movable plates 2 also, each have the same set of perforations so that they register with those in the fixed plates when the movable plates are at rest. The movable plates each have an additional set of perforations 4 also in vertical and horizontal rows, but between, and at an angle of 45 degrees to, the perforations of set. 88. VVhen the movable plates are at rest perforations 33 in these plates register with the perforations 4 in the fixed plate. Then the movable plates are shifted to display position, then the per forations 4 register with the perforations 3-3 in the fixed plate. If any one of the 1novable plates is shifted to display position, then the perforations 4 in the shifted plate register with the perforations S3 in the fixed plate as well as with the same set in these movable plates, which are in a state of rest. 7

To produce signs, most perforations 4 in the movable plates are closed by means of stoppers leaving these perforations: open which in their relative positions are formed in each one of the different plates. If'then lamps are placed behind the movable plates and one of the latter is shifted into display position the light from these lamps will be transmitted through the unstoppered perforations 4 in the shifted plate and through these perforations 33 in the other movable plates and in the fixed plate which register with the unstoppered perforations 4 in the fixed plate. In this way the characters out hired plate, when the perforations of the moving plate or band and those of the fixed plate are in line with each other.

The apparatus is fitted in the interior of a closed case 32, in which projector lamps 49 are provided. The fixed plate 1 may be enclosed by a glass plate 5. The band 81 is run off over a pair of rollers 6, 6 and is rewound on rollers 7, 7 and vice versa.

The endless band 81 may, according to its length, contain any desired number of successive signs which, as the band is wound off, are successively exposed. At the moment when the perforations of the revolving band and of the fixed plate coincide, in order to allow the passage of the light for the purpose of forming the advertisement, the revolving band must be stationary.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, plates are used. instead of the revolving band, which plates are arranged in any desired number one behind the other. The larger the number of plates the larger number of signs which are available. Thevarious plates arranged. be hind each other are, in this einbodin'ient of the invention like-wise denoted by 2, and those perforations which form the sign in the position shown, by the Figure 3, while those perforations which belong to the other set and are out of action at the same moment, are designated by 4. V

In this embodiment also the fixed plate 1 has only one set of perforations, which is designated by 33 on the drawing.

Those perforations of the second set of movable plates which do not co-operate in the formation of the sign at the moment when the remaining perforations of the same set are called upon to furnish the sign, are shut off in the manner above described and then fall behind those perforations of the fixed plate which are not necessary for the formation of the sign. The latter are therefore closed off and do not allow of the passage of any light.

The plate which is in the working position is marked 2 in order to distinguish it from other movable plates. 7 V

In Fig. 7 which shows a section through Fig. 6 along the line I-II, it is shown hdw the individual plates which do not take part in the formation of the signare displaced ise regards their performation of the text.

The means for actuating the 'movable plate, in order to bring it into or remove it from the working posit-io-nmay as already mentioned be various.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, three embodiments of such means are shown which are particularly adapted for use with the arrangement ,illustrated. in Figs. ,6 and 7. in which any number of movable plates are moved to and fro behind the fixed plate. 7

In the arrangement according to Figs. 6 and 7),, the plates, in order to he moved into and out of the working position are individually and in the succession of their position in the case, moved or displaced behind each other at an angle of 45. This displaceuiient is effected to a distance which is equal in magnitude to the distance'b'etween the centres of two adjoining perforations, one of these perforations however belonging to the first set and the other perforation to the second set of the same movable plate 2.

The positive guidance of each individual plate in the diagonal direction mentioned may take place in any desired manner, for instance, by slideways 10, provided in each individual plate 2 and which are disposable about a common pin 35. The movement is provided by an arrangement actuated by a lever 11 and a corresponding pawl 12. Each of the plates has atooth 22 and the individual teeth 22 of adjoining plates are slightly staggered relatively to each other in order to allow of effecting the individual adjust ment of the successive movable plate 2 in the order of their succession.

F or this purpose a number of toothec discs 37, 38 are fitted on a shaft 36 in such manner that each movable plate 2 corresponds to one of these discs, and the movable plate 2 with its corresponding disc lie in the same plane.

Each of the discs 37, 38 is provided with a cam 21, 39, 10.. staggered in such manner with relation to one another that they can mesh wit-h the teeth 22 of their corresponding plate 2. successively.

On turning the shaft 36, the whole of the toothed discs 37, 38 thereon are simultaneously rotated. Owing to thefact of their cams 21, 39, 4:0 meshing with the teeth 22 on the corresponding movable plates,

the latter are shifted trip or stepwise individually and successively according to the degree of displacement of the teeth and brought into the working position. The movable plates 2 may be returned to their position of rest, by any suitable agency for example by springs 46, 47 which pull each individual plate 2, 2 back into the position of rest as soon as the tooth of the movable plate 2 in question slips below the cam 21 of its corresponding cam disc 37, 38 v The drive for the cam discs may be effected by any suitable means for example electrically by means of the following device which consists of an electro-magnet 18, the core 14%. of'whichis mounted on a bar 15. The bar 15 carries two teeth 16, 1-1 and is provided with a piston 17, which compresses air in a cylinder 18. hen electric currentflows through the winding of the electro-magnet bar 15 drops thus actuating the pawl 12 and effecting alternate engagementor disengage ment of the recesses formed by the cams 21, 39. 4-0 with the teeth 22 of the individual adjustable plates 2, their relative displacement and their adjustmentinto the working position or into the position of rest.

In order to produce the periodical stoppage of the displaceable plates so that the light after the formation of the sign may fall through the superposed apertures, the movable plates are kept in the postion of rest for a suitable interval of time. This is effected by cutting out the .electro-magnet 13 at the moment when its core reaches it extreme positions. This may conveniently be effected I by the above mentioned cam 16, which shifts over the switch 19 and thus cuts off the current at the desired moment. Lever 11 forces the bar 15 to pass upwards under the action of the spring 2O. The movement is delayec by the resistance of the air compressed by the piston 17. By means ofvalve 23 fitted in the cylinder 18'it is possible to regulate the compression of the air and consequently the period of projection.

/Vhen the bar 15 has reached its highest position under the action of the spring 20 and the lever 11 the cam 11 which follows the upward movement thereof, closes the circuit of the magnet and the cycle begins afresh. The plate next movable in succession is then brought into theworking po sition under the action of its corresponding cam disc.

In place of the penumatic brake 17, 18 above described the thermally operated brake may also be had if desired.

Such thermally operated brake device may for instance,consist of the following parts: An electric resistance 24., which heats a metal rod 25. Owing tothe expansion in length of this rod due'to the heating, contact 26 and 27 is opened and the contact-28, 29

closed. The current then, according to the circuit shown on the drawing, flows through the electro-magnet 13 and owing to the attraction of its armature 1&4. bar 15 is moved downwards. Lever ll partalres of this motion in consequence of groove 42 and the movable plate 2 is actuated in the manner described by recesses 21 and teeth 22. lVith the gradual cooling of the rod 25 and in consequence of the resulting reduction in length, the contacts 28, 29 are opened in the reverse o1'der,.the contacts 26, 27 closed and the cycle begins afresh.

In this thermally operated contact arrangement the brake device 17, 18 and the switches 19 with, the corresponding cams 16, ll are dispensed with.

The driving device described with reference to Fig. 8 for the cam disc shaft 36, may be replaced by a continuously acting arrangement.

This may consist of an electro motor 43 which transmits its movement to the shaft 36. The number ofrevolutions of the electro motor may be reduced by one or more suitable transmission agencies, for instance, tooth or worm gears, which are fitted in a box 4A, in order to produce that slow movement which the operation of the movable. plates requires.

Un the shaft 36 there is mounted a contact disc 45 having a series of contacts 45 on its periphery which are connected to the lamp circuits so as to automatically and in th usual way switch off the lamps for the period of time during which the single plates 2 are being shifted in relation'to each other, and consequently blurred lighting effects are avoided.

In Fig. 9 springs 46, 4L7 are shown which force back the movable plates 2 into their position of rest after completion of the light effect.

The slide-ways 10, shown on Fig. 8 may be dispensed with and the individual adjustable plates 2 may be guided by'means of guide rails 48 (Fig. 9). e

In order to assist the sliding of the plates when shifting them into and out of the working position, and reduce the frictional resistance produced by the plugging or stopping, and in particular moreover to prevent the stoppers of two adjoining plates hindering each others movements, a distance plate (clearance plate) may be provided between each two movable plates and having only one set of perforations which perforations coincide with those of the immovable plate 1..

"With regard to Figs. 8 and9, it may be remarked that the driving device for moving the plates 2 may operate on the latter at any point so thatthe drive of the plates can take place not only from the side as shown on the drawing blliillso, for instance, from belQW By the device described all possible combinations of words and also other outlines may be produced. The number of combinations is, as already remarked, unlimited.

If further light effects are tobe produced, the front wall of the casing can be shutoff with coloured glass, dull glass or thelikeQ ltis to be understood that whilst I have described various embodiments of the invention various changes may be made there-. in without departing from the spirit an scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 7 V

1. An illuminating sign apparatus comprising a fixed sheet containing a plurality of perforations arranged in vertical and horizontal alignment at equal distances apart, and a movable sheet having a pluralit of. perforations corresponding'in number and position to the number of perforations on the fixed sheet and designed to register with. the same when in the position of rest, and a further plurality of perforations equidistantly interspaced between the aforesaid perforations in said sheet, stoppers for closing all the interspaced perforations in the mov able sheet except those which form the text of the sign, meansfor throwing the movable sheet by one straight throw at an angle of tocarry the text perforations of the movable sheet to register with the correspondingly. placed perforations in the fixed sheet and at the same time bring the stopperedperforations opposite the remaining perforations of the fixed sheet to shut off the light, illuminating means located behind "the sheets, means for switching on the illuminating means to throw the light through the text perforations and means for switching off the illuminating means when the sheets are.

restored to a state of rest. Q 2. An illuminating sign apparatus comprising tL fiXQCl sheet containing a plurality of perforations arranged in vertical and horizontal alignment at equal distances apart, and a plurality of movable sheets each. hav- 7 ing a plurality of perforations corresponding in number and position to the number of perforations on the fixed sheet and designed to register with the same when in the position of rest, and a further plurality of perforations equi-distantly interspaced between the aforesaid. perforations in each of said movable sheets, stoppers for closing all the interspaced perforations in each of the movable sheets except those which form the text of the sign, means for throwing the movable sheets by one straight throw at an angle of 45 to carry thetextperforations of each of the movable sheets to register with the correspondingly placed perforations in the fixed sheet and at the same time bring the stoppered perforations opposite the remaining. perforations of the fixed sheet to shut off the light, illumin ting means heated behind the sheets, means for switching the illuminating means to throw the'lightthrough the text perforations and means for switching off the illun'iinatingin'eans whenthe' sheets are restored to a stateof rest.

8. An illuminatingsign apparatus comprising a'fixed sheet containing a plurality of perforations arranged in vertical and horizontal alignment at equal distances apart, anda movable sheet having a plurality of perforations corresponding in numberand position to the number of perforations on the fixed sheet and designed to register with the same when in the position of rest, and a further plurality of perforations equi-distantlyinterspaced between the aforesaid perforations in said sheet, stoppers for closing all the interspaced perforations in the movable sheet exceptjthose which form the text ofthe sign, a projectionextending from one side of theinovable sheet, guide-ways to controlthe direction of movement of the movable sheet, a disc providedwith indentations' to enact with the projection on themovable sheet and an electroniotive means for turning the said disc.

4. An illuminating sign apparatus comprising'a fixed sheet containing a plurality ofperforations arranged in vertical and horizontal alignment at equal distances apart, and a movable sheethaving a plurality of perforations corresponding in number and position to the n'nmber'of perforations on the fixed sheetand designed to register with the same when in the position of'rest, and a fun ther plurality of'perforat-ions equi-distantly interspaced-bet-ween the aforesaid perfora tions in said sheet, stoppers for closing all the interspaced perforations inthe movable sheet'except those'which form the text ofthe sign, lamps located behind the perforated sheets, a projection extending froin one side of the movable sheet, guide-ways to control the direction of movement of the movable sheet, a disc provided with indentations to coact with the projection on the movable sheet. an electro-motive means for turning the said disc and an electric-switch to -control such 'eleotromotive means and also switch on the plurality of perforations corresponding in number and position to the numberof perforations onthe fixed sheet and designed to register with the same when in the position of rest and a further plurality of perforations ediii-distantly i'nt erspacedbetween the aforesaidperforations in the said" movable sheets, stops for closing all the interspaoed perforations in 'each movable sheet except those which form thetext of the sign, means for throwing the movable sheet t an angle of to throw the text perforationsof the movable sheet'to register with thecorrespondingly placed perforations in the fixed sheet and at the same time bring the stoppered perforations of the movable sheet opposite the remaining perforations in the fixed sheet to shut "off the light, the movablesheets, exceptvth'e one that is shifted, remaining in a position of rest, so that the perforations of said movable sheets corresponding to the perforations in the fixed sheetregister with the perforations and allow of the light to pass throughfrom back to front of the text perforations of the movable sheet, which is shifted,

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FERNANDO BALLERINI. 

